The agreement marks a shift in U.S. policy, with a focus on easing restrictions on Russian maritime trade and payments related to food and fertilizer exports.
The United States and Russia reached a new agreement in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this week that includes a U.S. commitment to help restore Russia’s access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, the White House said in a March 25 statement.
The announcement follows three days of bilateral talks in Riyadh, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions, held March 23-25, were a follow-up to earlier presidential-level talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement states that the United States will work to lower maritime insurance costs and improve Russia’s access to ports and payment systems, facilitating the export of food and fertilizer, key sectors of Russia’s economy that have faced mounting obstacles since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
“The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports,” the statement said. It also referenced U.S. efforts to reduce shipping costs and payment barriers for these goods.
The talks also produced security-related commitments for the Black Sea and a renewed pledge to avoid strikes on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine.
The White House said that the countries have agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”
Both nations welcomed the involvement of third countries to assist in the implementation of the maritime and energy accords, the White House said.
The talks in Saudi Arabia come amid growing efforts by the Trump administration to broker a broader peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which includes a partial cease-fire and energy infrastructure protections.
By Chase Smith
